Kratzer Automation AG & Valsoft Corporation
With the purchase of the logistics software solution cadis from Kratzer Automation, the Canadian investor Valsoft expands its own portfolio in the area of Transport Management Systems.
Kratzer Automation AG, a global provider of software for the logistics industry and test systems for the automotive industry, has decided to sell its LOGISTICS AUTOMATION software division as part of a strategic refocusing. With cadis®, a Transport Management System Software (TMS), Kratzer Automation has been serving international logistics customers for more than 25 years. In addition to classic route optimization, the premium segment software also offers yard management and terminal handling functionalities. The tracking of the cold chain, which is necessary for the transport of vaccines, has already been integrated into the software since 2015.
In the sales process supported by atares* as M&A advisor, the LOGISTICS AUTOMATION division was sold to Valsoft Corporation (Canada) as part of an asset deal. In the course of the carve out, the LOGISTICS AUTOMATION division, developer of the cadis® software, was transferred to a new legal entity, which will operate under the name of Cadis GmbH in the future and is a 100% subsidiary of Valsoft. After accompanying the sale of Portrix Logistic Software GmbH to the Canadian Descartes Systems Group, Inc., it is the second successfully closed logistics software transaction by atares.
For Valsoft, a Canadian based entity focused on vertical market software, this acquisition represents the second TMS company in their portfolio. Cadis GmbH will continue to operate independently. The company will grow primarily in German-speaking countries but also internationally. With its new cloud-based and modular software suite, cadis® can now also serve smaller logistics companies. In the logistics market, which has only a low digitization rate compared to the rest of the industry, there is high growth potential especially in the area of mission-critical software, which includes TMS software.
Atares acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Kratzer and supported the client throughout the entire sales transaction. In addition to the implementation of a structured sales process, the consulting services included the preparation of marketing and transaction documents, identification and approaching of potential investors including management presentations as well as support in the due diligence and negotiation of the transaction. The transaction team of atares consisted of Jan Pörschmann (Partner, Munich), Florian Liepert (Director, Munich) and Andreas König (Senior Associate, Munich).
About Kratzer Automation AG
As an internationally operating key player and premium supplier, Kratzer Automation focuses on the business areas TEST SYSTEMS and LOGISTICS AUTOMATION. The company offers customers from the automotive industry (TEST SYSTEMS) and the logistics industry (LOGISTICS AUTOMATION) sophisticated software products and complete system solutions. The company is headquartered in Unterschleissheim near Munich and has offices in France, Great Britain and China. Further information is available at https://www.kratzer-automation.com/de/
About Valsoft
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Valsoft focuses on acquiring and growing software verticals that provide business-critical solutions in their respective niche or market. Through its buy-and-hold strategy, Valsoft acquires software companies at different stages of their business. For further information please visit https://www.valsoftcorp.com/
About atares
Atares is the digital M&A boutique for technology-driven midcap companies in Germany and sees itself as a pioneer for the digitalization of the M&A industry. Founded in 2001, atares has advised more than 200 transactions in more than 20 years. The focus is on transaction volumes between EUR 10 and 100 million of mostly owner-managed companies. Since November 2023, the company formerly known as Proventis Partners, Munich, has been operating under the new company name atares GmbH. Atares has long-standing personal contacts with corporate and Private Equity investors and M&A advisors in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Highly specialized expertise for the market, empathy for people and passion make atares a sought-after M&A partner for the tech champions of tomorrow. More than 20 employees at atares in Munich and Düsseldorf manage their projects via the in-house developed digital M&A dealfloor (dealfloor.co) – for value-adding, efficient transactions with the best user experience.
Team
*At the time of the transaction, atares traded under the name Proventis Partners GmbH Muenchen
